sports Experience and expectations are both leveled out at full for the 2013 Frazee softball team, as the Hornets return the vast majority of their team. Each position will have a player who is seasoned, with the pitching rotation deep and talented. “We feel we will be able to compete against any team,”...
Detroit Lakes, 56501

Detroit Lakes Minnesota 511 Washington Avenue 56501

2013-04-10 11:31:02

Experience and expectations are both leveled out at full for the 2013 Frazee softball team, as the Hornets return the vast majority of their team.

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Each position will have a player who is seasoned, with the pitching rotation deep and talented.

“We feel we will be able to compete against any team,” said Frazee head coach Dave Trautman. “We do return experience pretty much all over.”

The Hornets will have three pitchers vying for time on the mound, including sophomore Jo Shipman, senior Alexis Tappe and sophomore Mandy Donahue.

Shipman comes in with the most innings pitched, but Tappe and Donahue have each displayed they can also handle the duties.

“Mandy is a good, control pitcher and will put the ball in play, while Alexis is not an overpowering pitcher, she is good at changing her speeds up,” Trautman said.

“Jo comes in as our most experienced pitcher and the stronger thrower.”

The infield will have consistency back in senior Ashley Bachmann at first base, Tappe at second, junior Autumn Mahoney at shortstop and sophomore Kennady Barlund at third base.

Fourth-year starter junior Taylor Tappe will be a stalwart behind the plate at catcher, as well.

In the outfield, senior Katie McCorquodale will secure centerfield, while up to four other inexperienced players vying for playing time in the other two slots in right and left.

Depth keeps on going, as well, with senior Amber Bauer taking up the designated hitter position.

Which brings another strength to note – batting.

“We should have both speed and power in the lineup,” Trautman said.

The top of the order will feature two speedsters in McCorquodale and Mahoney, with the former a left-handed slap hitter and the former a switch hitter.

The athletic Alexis Tappe will follow up third with some power (three homers in 2012), while the clean-up hitter will be Barlund.

“Kennady is a good, line-drive hitter,” Trautman included.

More power will be featured at No. 5 with Bachmann taking the cuts, who will be followed by contact hitter Taylor Tappe.

Shipman and Bauer will fill the No. 7 and 8 slots, who each can bat for solid averages, while the No. 9 spot will be filled by one of the other four players who are battling out for the final starting position.

The Heart O’Lakes Conference will have defending champions Hawley back as favorites, along with Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton being a force, as well.

Sebeka is the defending Section 8-2A champions, with New York Mills also being a threat.

The late spring has already claimed the Hornets’ first two games.

The Monday, April 15, game with Bagley is still on, but is in real danger of being lost.

Potential openers include a doubleheader at Hawley April 18, or the Frazee Invitational Tournament Saturday, April 20.